Non-league football boss Turner dies

THE local non-league scene is in shock after popular manager Dave Turner died in the early hours of this morning.

It is believed that the Shrivenham boss died of a heart attack at around 12.30am. He was 52.

An enthusiastic and effervescent character, Turner took up the reins at Shrivvy in the summer following a five-year spell at Wootton Bassett.

He guided Bassett to two promotions to the Hellenic League Premier Division and took them farther than they had ever been in the FA Cup and FA Vase.

Under Turner's leadership and in his first season in charge, Bassett reached the FA Vase second round in 2008/09 where they were defeated 4-0 at 1992 winners Wimborne.

Bassett were subsequently promoted to the Hellenic League Premier Division in 2009/10, missing out on the Division One West title to Slimbridge only on goal difference.

Controversially demoted the following season after failing to meet ground grading criteria, Bassett bounced back in 2012/13 as Turner led them to second in the table behind Brimscombe & Thrupp, securing promotion.

That same campaign, Bassett achieved their best-ever run in the FA Cup, beating Calne, Hamworthy and Highworth to make it to the second qualifying round where they lost 4-0 to Conference South Dorchester.

Off the back of that success, Turner left Bassett for local rivals Shrivenham in May last year.

Turner, an ardent Swindon Town supporter, was also a former manager of Pewsey Vale.

He is survived by his wife Trisha and sons Alex, 24, and James, 22.

James is currently signed on at Shrivenham and also played for his father at Wootton Bassett.

Shrivenham's Hellenic League Challenge Cup third-round fixture at home to Wantage tomorrow night has been postponed.

Several personalities from the local football fraternity have left tributes to Turner through the Adver.

New College boss Rob Hopkins said: "Such sad news today. In football as an opposition player and manager I always had a good craic with Dave on and off the pitch.

"A great character in all walks of life. He will be sadly missed. Thoughts go out to all his family at this very sad time.

Thoughts are with Trish and the boys. The stories I could tell.....how a bloke well over six feet could stand among 50 or so Swindon supporters on the terrace at Roker Park in a bloomin PINK jumper! And when we raided my old man's drinks cabinet on his 21st and ended up drinking poteen (we thought it was gin). The hangover from hell. Friday nights in the White Hart, the Oxford then Vadim's and a curry and the escapades attached to weekends away. Anyone who met him would never forget him. Tom Fuller

Thoughts are with Trish and the boys. The stories I could tell.....how a bloke well over six feet could stand among 50 or so Swindon supporters on the terrace at Roker Park in a bloomin PINK jumper! And when we raided my old man's drinks cabinet on his 21st and ended up drinking poteen (we thought it was gin). The hangover from hell. Friday nights in the White Hart, the Oxford then Vadim's and a curry and the escapades attached to weekends away. Anyone who met him would never forget him. Tom FullerParkhead1

Such a sad day I really decent person.remember the days at the oxford then taking minibus to away matches during Lou macari era. My thoughts are with Trish & family.never will be forgotten Paul whittaker

Such a sad day I really decent person.remember the days at the oxford then taking minibus to away matches during Lou macari era. My thoughts are with Trish & family.never will be forgotten Paul whittakerPaulwhitt

I first met dave when he was manager at wroughton juniorswhen i first started refereeing and every time i refereed his teams at pewsey and basset he was a true gentleman even meeting him out will be sadly missed in local football circles r.i.p dave thoughts are with your family at this sad time

I first met dave when he was manager at wroughton juniorswhen i first started refereeing and every time i refereed his teams at pewsey and basset he was a true gentleman even meeting him out will be sadly missed in local football circles r.i.p dave thoughts are with your family at this sad timegoonerref

Knew Dave from my school days at Kingsdown and still remember his lovely nature. He was a lovely guy then and although we lost touch I feel really saddened to hear this awful news. RIP Dave, you were a gentle giant then and carried that through your life from the comments made. My thoughts go to all your family at such a sad time xx

Knew Dave from my school days at Kingsdown and still remember his lovely nature. He was a lovely guy then and although we lost touch I feel really saddened to hear this awful news. RIP Dave, you were a gentle giant then and carried that through your life from the comments made. My thoughts go to all your family at such a sad time xxmrs md

Paulwhitt wrote:
Such a sad day I really decent person.remember the days at the oxford then taking minibus to away matches during Lou macari era. My thoughts are with Trish &amp; family.never will be forgotten Paul whittaker

I too was on that mini bus Paul,this is Skippy.
Never a dull moment was there was Dave at the helm!

[quote][p][bold]Paulwhitt[/bold] wrote:
Such a sad day I really decent person.remember the days at the oxford then taking minibus to away matches during Lou macari era. My thoughts are with Trish & family.never will be forgotten Paul whittaker[/p][/quote]I too was on that mini bus Paul,this is Skippy.
Never a dull moment was there was Dave at the helm!swwindon61uk

Deeply saddened by the news my son Nathan cooper played alongside Dave's son James for Barbury. Dave was the coach and manager , my husband also ran the line, Nathan says best coach manger he ever had. rob Cooper said he was top bloke. Thoughts are with his family. Rip x

Deeply saddened by the news my son Nathan cooper played alongside Dave's son James for Barbury. Dave was the coach and manager , my husband also ran the line, Nathan says best coach manger he ever had. rob Cooper said he was top bloke. Thoughts are with his family. Rip xDee45

Shocked and saddened to hear the news today of Dave's passing. A great friend, awesome coach and privileged to have spent 3 fantastic years with him at AFC Barbury. He leaves a massive hole in local football and will be sadly missed by many. Thoughts are with Trisha, Alex and James. RIP mate!!
Tony W

Shocked and saddened to hear the news today of Dave's passing. A great friend, awesome coach and privileged to have spent 3 fantastic years with him at AFC Barbury. He leaves a massive hole in local football and will be sadly missed by many. Thoughts are with Trisha, Alex and James. RIP mate!!
Tony Wtonywool57

This is the saddest news I have heard in a long time. Dave was a friend from just after he joined 'civvy street' from the Army and just before I headed in the opposite direction. The legendary stories both involving and related by Dave, most hysterically funny, would fill an enormous book, which would promptly turn into a pamphlet after the censors got hold of it :-)

I hadn't seen Dave since moving away from Swindon, but he was never forgotten. Rest in peace big man.

This is the saddest news I have heard in a long time. Dave was a friend from just after he joined 'civvy street' from the Army and just before I headed in the opposite direction. The legendary stories both involving and related by Dave, most hysterically funny, would fill an enormous book, which would promptly turn into a pamphlet after the censors got hold of it :-)
I hadn't seen Dave since moving away from Swindon, but he was never forgotten. Rest in peace big man.Terry_Coffey

Not often I shed a tear but this has broken me !
Only two weeks ago I dropped into his house and had a cup of tea and a chat. Have known Dave for 30 years. We were great friends the days of the White Hart, The Oxford, Vadims and then the obvious curry to finish off. Together with Tom Fuller, Gary Mapson, Paul Whittaker and Mike Healey we were a motley crew. Some of the funniest times and I will never forget them.
More distant friends since marriage, kids, maturity etc but always kept in touch. A great friend. A great loss. I will really miss him.
Thoughts are with my friend Trish, and sons Alex and James.
Holding back the tears. Goodbye Mate.
Neil Armstrong.

Not often I shed a tear but this has broken me !
Only two weeks ago I dropped into his house and had a cup of tea and a chat. Have known Dave for 30 years. We were great friends the days of the White Hart, The Oxford, Vadims and then the obvious curry to finish off. Together with Tom Fuller, Gary Mapson, Paul Whittaker and Mike Healey we were a motley crew. Some of the funniest times and I will never forget them.
More distant friends since marriage, kids, maturity etc but always kept in touch. A great friend. A great loss. I will really miss him.
Thoughts are with my friend Trish, and sons Alex and James.
Holding back the tears. Goodbye Mate.
Neil Armstrong.Neil Armstrong

I was so very sad to hear about Dave's passing. Such a lovely man and a true professional. My son Mike played at Wroughton Juniors alongside Alex for 8 years or more. He was his 'Stratton' lad the first foreigner to join outside of Wroughton.always encouraging and fair.My heart goes out to Trish Alex and James.Rest in peace. The Francis Family.

I was so very sad to hear about Dave's passing. Such a lovely man and a true professional. My son Mike played at Wroughton Juniors alongside Alex for 8 years or more. He was his 'Stratton' lad the first foreigner to join outside of Wroughton.always encouraging and fair.My heart goes out to Trish Alex and James.Rest in peace. The Francis Family.kingfrancis70@hotmail.com

I knew Dave through work, he was one of the most honest & down to earth people you could wish to meet. Always prepared to help anyone out with practical & verbal advice. This news has numbed me to the core, I cannot believe that I will no longer be able to pick up the phone and just pick up wherever we left off, no matter how much time had passed.
Dave, you are a true legend and you will be sorely missed, God bless you mate, thanks for all the laughs and memories.
My thoughts are with Trish and the boys..
Rest in peace my friend.. XX

I knew Dave through work, he was one of the most honest & down to earth people you could wish to meet. Always prepared to help anyone out with practical & verbal advice. This news has numbed me to the core, I cannot believe that I will no longer be able to pick up the phone and just pick up wherever we left off, no matter how much time had passed.
Dave, you are a true legend and you will be sorely missed, God bless you mate, thanks for all the laughs and memories.
My thoughts are with Trish and the boys..
Rest in peace my friend.. XXpgeason01

Met Dave as a rep was so shocked to hear of his passing when one of work colleages left a voicemail on my phone. We never got much buisness done as we were always talking football. I think he was so pleased to meet a Swindon fan in Oxford.
Great Bloke
RIP Dave
Justin and the Girls

Met Dave as a rep was so shocked to hear of his passing when one of work colleages left a voicemail on my phone. We never got much buisness done as we were always talking football. I think he was so pleased to meet a Swindon fan in Oxford.
Great Bloke
RIP Dave
Justin and the GirlsTheonlywayisup11